In 2024 Jaeger-LeCoultre are operating at Mach 1, speeding through a huge number of releases across every range in their collection. So we’ve seen a Master Ultra Thin, multiple haute horology Duometres, a Master Grande Tradition and a Polaris. Now it’s the turn of the Master Control, which has received a new Chronograph Calendar model in blue. Here’s hoping Santa leaves a Reverso under the tree by the end of the year…
Focussing in on the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar blue, it’s a really interesting watch in terms of the niche it fills within JLC’s broader collections. It’s not as sporty as the Polaris, it’s not as prestigious as a Duometre, not as refined as a Master Ultra Thin and it’s not… rectangular. It is conceptually the middle ground of all these things, a 40mm steel timepiece with a smooth bezel and lugs, broad pushers a thickness of 12.05mm. It’s a watch suitable for anyone, anywhere at any occasion.
All this is true of course of the existing collection; what sets the new edition apart is the blue dial. It’s a really lovely shade, which is no surprise as JLC does colour incredibly well. I almost don’t have words to describe the exact shade, it feels to me like the blue equivalent of sage green – still a strong colour but with a certain paleness to it that is pleasantly calming. This is further emphasised by the sky blue minute track that separates the central sunray brushed disc and the peripheral pulsometer.
Yes, instead of the typical chronograph tachymeter, the Jaeger‑LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar blue has a pulsometer. It’s a much rarer scale to find on watches but still a practical one as it allows you to calculate your pulse rate very easily. It was originally designed to assist doctors looking after patients. Elsewhere on the dial you have the day and month at 12 o’clock, a 30-minute timer at 3, the date and moonphase at 6 and lastly the small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock. It’s a well-balanced display and manages to be clear and legible despite the amount of information shown.
Powering the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar blue is the Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 759, an automatic number with a rose gold rotor and 65-hour power reserve. It’s visible through the exhibition caseback, which allows you to admire the Côtes de Genève finishing and the intricate skeletonization of that gold rotor. The quality of this movement, as well as the functions it’s equipped with, does result in a very high price tag for a steel watch at £16,100 on strap or £17,500 on bracelet. But I think that’s understandable considering it’s effectively an entry-level grand complication.
Price and Specs:
More details at Jaeger‑LeCoultre.
